Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) and the most common bacterial infection in adults. In the United States, approximately 1 million cases are reported each year, most occurring in people under age 30. In its early stages, the disease may cause no symptoms and therefore can be spread by unsuspecting victims. In females, gonorrhea often remains asymptomatic but can lead to vaginal itching, discharge, or uterine bleeding and other serious complications. An infected woman who gives birth can transmit the disease to her infant, most often resulting in childhood blindness. As a precaution, silver nitrate is administered to the eyes of newborns to prevent this condition. In males, gonorrhea causes infection of the urethra and painful urination. Though not deadly, the disease if untreated can infect other genital organs or the throat. If the infection spreads throughout the blood stream, it can cause an arthritis-dermatitis syndrome.

Gonorrhea was...